Get Involved!

May 2016

President's Report

Submitted by Tammie Nelson, President

Greetings!

We have a busy summer ahead! Please ensure you review the events listed in the newsletter for the exciting member events that we have planned for you.

Planning is ongoing for the Annual Dinner scheduled for August. We will have more details soon as we finalize our keynote speaker. This year will not disappoint! Before we get to that celebration, we will have our two-day Summer Symposium in mid-July. If relaxing outdoors is more your thing, our Third Annual Golf Tournament is upcoming on September 16th.

We will have plenty of activities for you to earn PDUs and meet your colleagues throughout the remainder of this year! More details are provided below. Please plan to join us, and consider volunteering to be a part of making these event possible!

Vice President's Article

Project management lessons from the military

Submitted by Rachel Keen, Vice President, Communications

One of the things that I miss about the military is the camraderie between service members. That special bond that you develop with a group of people that you have worked closely with over a period of time. The duration of time spent together on special missions, projects and training were celebratory and yet at times painful. At the end of the day, the hard work put forth into serving was for a cause. The same camaraderie is also found in Non-Governmental Work (NGO)/ not-for-profit Project Management.

From flying missions as a military service member to managing information technology project internationally, I have come to learn that both environments have high stakes. The NGO world, while different, experiences very similar project issues that governmental project management offices' face. When your role directly contributes to the social good of any group of people, it is vital to understand you are stronger in collaboration with a team than you are as a lone ranger. The best lesson I took from my experience in the military, is the mentality that your teammates (wingmen) are your most important stakeholders.

Here are three of my personal lesser-known recommendations for project team camaraderie:

Learn everyone's name, and what their motivation style isUsing someone's name give value to their identity, it helps to affirm that you care that they are on the team. Each team member will likely have their own motivation style, it is important to know what style to use when working with a diverse group of people.

Ask for feedbackEmpower people on your team to give/receive feedback on the project, the processes and progress. You have an easy opportunity to build trust, dedication and gain buy-in because your team members are already investing time and their skillsets. Your commitment to engaging each person in this process shows your support as a leader.

Communicate honestly, and regularlyNo team member likes to be left in dark. Remember to communicate deadlines, targets and results to the whole team as appropriate. As a team, celebrate the wins and learn from the lessons.

A project is only as successful as the team. I find it increasingly evident that my military training in being a wingman is the very thing that uniquely qualifies me to execute the art which is project management. Your team wants to do to good work! As a leader, put a focus on the development, support and communication of your team. Doing this you will build trust and commitment to the mission/ project goals. As a project manager the motivation and leadership of your team is equally as important as the end-state deliverable you are working to produce.

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!

Are you a paid member of our chapter in good standing? ( Join or renew here!) Are you able to dedicate a few hours each week to a meaningful volunteer role? Have you been searching for an opportunity that provides the opportunity to both networking, and professional development?

If you answered yes, then you're in luck! You can add to your resume, learn new skills, make friends and professional connections, support emerging leaders in the local community, and more as a PMI-OKC board member. We are seeking applicants for the following featured positions:

Director of Professional Development Days – responsible for coordinating the speaker(s)/ curriculum, and schedule for PD days. This includes creating the schedule, creating a communications plan, and working with Marketing for promotional tools.

Director of Training and Certification – responsible for managing the training program for project management certifications. This includes securing and maintaining a list of certified instructors for each certification/class, working with the Director of Events to coordinate the logistics, verifying attendance/completers to send to VP-Membership for PDU submission.

Volunteer Instructors – Members with PMP, PgMP, PfMP, and/or ACP certifications are needed to teach chapter PM Fundamentals, PMP Bootcamps, ACP, and PgMP certification classes throughout the year. This is a fabulous opportunity to support other professionals in obtaining their certification and to participate in the Continuing Certification Requirements Program of Giving Back through volunteering.

If you are interested please send your resume, and a letter of interest via email to teresa.burgess@pmiokc.org

Welcome New Members

May 2016

About PMI OKC

The PMI OKC Chapter of the Project Management Institute, a professional, non-profit organization, was formed in June, 2000 (under the name, Red Earth) to better serve the central and western Oklahoma members of the Project Management Institute and to carry out the objectives of that organization

Our Vision

To be Oklahoma’s preeminent source of project management principles, best practices, and resources enabling business and organizational success.

Our Mission

To promote the practice, science, and profession of project management in Oklahoma through networking, outreach, and education.